Effect of tympanostomy tube surface on occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: Premature tympanostomy tube (TT) occlusion frequently leads to TT replacement surgery. TT surface preparations have been suggested as a means of reducing TT occlusion. The purpose of this study is to determine if commercial TT compositions or surface preparations impact the rate of TT occlusion using an in vitro model. METHODS: Commercial TTs composed of titanium, fluoroplastic, and silicone, as well as human serum albumin coated titanium, phosphorylcholine coated fluoroplastic, and polyvinylpyrrolidone coated silicone TTs, were tested for occlusion development in a previously validated in vitro model that simulates middle ear air and mucus flow. RESULTS: Time to occlusion was longer with all coated TTs relative to all uncoated TTs (p=0.038). Polyvinylpyrrolidone coated silicone TTs had the lowest rate of occlusion and improvement relative to silicone (36% vs. 70%). Time to occlusion was longer in all coated TTs, but individually, none reached statistical significance. CONCLUSION: TT composition and surface preparations do not dramatically impact the development of TT occlusion. All tested surface coatings seem to delay TT occlusion in this in vitro model. In vivo testing will be necessary to validate these findings.

Odontogenic sinusitis: an ancient but under-appreciated cause of maxillary sinusitis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: For well over 100 years, it has been appreciated that maxillary dental infections can cause sinusitis. This insight has been largely overlooked with the advent of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and its emphasis on the osteomeatal complex. We review several recent case series and reviews of odontogenic sinusitis that characterize and discuss emerging diagnostic modalities in odontogenic sinusitis. RECENT FINDINGS: In recent publications on odontogenic sinusitis, up to 40% of chronic bacterial maxillary sinus infections are attributed to a dental source, which is far higher than the previously reported incidence of 10%. Plain dental films and dental evaluations frequently fail to detect maxillary dental infection that can be causing odontogenic sinusitis. However, sinus computed tomography (CT) or Cone Beam Volumetric CT (CBVCT) are far more successful in identifying dental disease causing sinusitis. The microbial pathogens of odontogenic sinusitis remain unchanged from earlier reviews; however, the clinical findings in odontogenic sinusitis are better described in recent reviews. Successful treatment of odontogenic sinusitis requires management of the odontogenic source and may require concomitant or subsequent sinus surgery. SUMMARY: Odontogenic sinusitis is frequently recalcitrant to medical therapy and usually requires treatment of the dental disease. Sometimes dental treatment alone is adequate to resolve the odontogenic sinusitis and sometimes concomitant or subsequent ESS is required. Evaluation of all patients with persistent chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) should include inspection of the maxillary teeth on CT scan for evidence of periapical lucencies. Unilateral recalcitrant disease associated with foul smelling drainage is especially characteristic of odontogenic sinusitis. High-resolution CT scans and CBVCT can assist in identifying dental disease.

Cochlear nerve diameter in normal hearing ears using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVES: Deficient cochlear nerves (CN) have been associated with poor cochlear implant performance. Normative data on CN diameter based on radiographic imaging have not been published. The objectives of this study were to determine if CN diameter could be reproducibly measured on parasagittal constructive interference in steady state (CISS)-sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to establish a normative range for CN diameter. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of MRI images by two independent blinded observers. METHODS: Thirty patients (45 ears) with a CISS-sequence MRI done for auditory complaints in patients with normal hearing in one ear were included. CN diameters were measured in a parasagittal plane just medial to the internal auditory canal (IAC) fundus by two independent observers. Cross-sectional areas were calculated and interobserver agreement was evaluated. RESULTS: The CN was identified in 100% of studied ears. In 93%, the diameters were able to be measured by both observers. In 7% of ears, the cochlear nerve was unable to be measured secondary to the proximity of the CN to IAC wall. The CN vertical diameter (1.4 mm +/- 0.21 mm), horizontal diameter (1.0 mm +/- 0.15 mm), and cross-sectional area (1.1 mm +/- 0.26 mm(2)) were normally distributed. There was good interobserver correlation for each measure. CONCLUSIONS: CN diameter can be reliably measured at the IAC fundus. This study establishes normative radiographic data for the CN diameter. These data may be used to evaluate the cause and treatment prognosis in patients with sensorineural hearing loss.